Painting pictures with words.
Opening a part of the soul.
Emotion flowing with the lines.
Tapestry skillfully woven.
Reflecting thoughts artfully.
Yearning to make a difference.
--Karen O'Leary--Whispers' Editor

Thursday, December 15, 2016

From the Archives—Featuring Mary Jo Balistreri

Dear Whispers’ Readers,

It is a gift to travel back into our Whispers’
archives, and savor the wonderful poetry within its pages. The unique imagery
in the first line of Mary Jo Balistreri’s “Christmas Morning” drew me in—then the brewing coffee clinched
it. I hope you don’t mind a little humor that does carry a bit of truth. Mary
Jo weaves present and past, flowing so naturally that one almost misses it
until the last simile carries the essential message. This poem was originally
published December 21, 2015. Congratulations Mary Jo! Thank you being a candle
at Whispers and in the poetry community at large.

Dear friends, every single one of you, I had no idea this poem was up and thank you so much for writing. Dearest Karen, waking to this this morning was quite a surprising gift. Thank you for publishing it from the archive. We have had illness here and I haven't been able to come here as often as I'd like. How grateful I am for all of you.

I wanted to surprise you as I do with everyone I feature in these columns. My thoughts and prayers go with you and your family, hoping you will be better soon. Thank you for all you do for our Whispers community!

This poem written by a happy person, filled with love, love of family, awareness of beauty all around, and the glitter of the Christmas season. It is a contingent state which, to this person, contains all that is needed of reality.